France, the former coloniser, extends a hand to Algeria

French president François Hollande is on a state visit to Algeria this week. Relations between Paris and Algiers are finally getting back on an even keel after the battle for independence 50 years ago. France wants to try to forge a partnership with its former colony to boost economic growth, in return for sharing expertise. There are also hopes that Hollande could persuade his Algerian counterpart, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, to support military intervention in Mali.